ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Missouri Western baseball (11-24, 9-15 MIAA) secured a series win over Arkansas-Fort Smith Saturday, defeating the Lions 6-4 at the MWSU Spring Sports Complex.

Behind career-best eight inning performance by starting pitcher Colby Deaver, the Griffons led 6-0 after the fifth inning and fended off a late charge from UAFS.

The Lions put up all four of their runs in the ninth. Deaver was pulled with bases loaded in the ninth. Carson Rosen came in to record the first two outs in the ninth, and then Jayson Shorb came in and recorded a strikeout to end the game.

Deaver threw 110 pitches, striking out three and walking just one. He was tagged for six hits and three earned runs.

Offensively, Frank Gall, Easton O'Keefe and Kaden Doan each had two hits. Gall had a triple and scored twice. O'Keefe drove in a pair of runs. Quinton Robertson doubled, scored twice and drove in a run as well.

Missouri Western goes for the sweep over UAFS in the series finale on Sunday at 1 p.m. The game will be broadcast on the Griffon Sports Network (Varsity Network App, GoGriffons.com/listen) and streamed on the MIAA Network.